Conduit cleaning device



may 5? w36.- J F. WALSH. maw? COND'UIT CLEANING DEVICE Filed Aug. 7, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 nvenior May 5, E936. J, i:A WALSH 2,@39A67 CNDUIT CLEANING DEVICE l Filed Aug. 7, 1935 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1:71 F1 WaZsh Patented May 5, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to a cleaning device for waste pipes and drainage conduits such as are embodied in present day household plumbing systems and has reference in particular to a permanently installed readily operable structural means aptly fitted for loosening stoppage matter to permit it to be washed into the sewer by the natural water pressure.

Being generally conversant with what has been done in the field of invention ahead of me and cognizant of the lack of perfection and practicability embraced in prior art devices, I have, after painstaking effort and due deliberation, evolved and produced what I believe to be an improved device or means more aptly fitted for the purposes intended and quite as simple and economical as devices known to me.

Whereas the prior art is characterized by special tools, implements and special hydraulic appliances and whereas many of these require the attention of skillful persons or especially hired plumbers, I have developed a simple and economical permanently attached device which is susceptible of ready installation and frequent periodic use by the housewife or other unskilled hands.

In reducing the inventive concept to actual practice I have found it expedient and practicable to utilize a self-adapting and adjusting coiled spring, this being operated by a handle located in some convenient and readily accessible place, and extending through the conduit irrespective of its shape from substantially one end to that end which attaches to a main sewer or soil diS- posal pipe.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the-following description and drawings.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is an elevational View showing a kitchen sink with the underlying trap and other features of the piping forming the so-'called drainage or waste conduit, the clean-out device being installed therein ready for operation.

Figure 2 is a view in section on an enlarged scale showing the handle and attaching means and illustrating the essential features of the invention.

Figure 3 is a view showing somewhat the same set-up as illustrated in Figure 2 wherein it is adapted to a substantially vertical soil pipe.

Figure 4 is a perspective illustration of the operating end of the flexible cleaning element.

ICI.' 4-255) Briefly the clean-out device comprises a flexi-A ble cleaning element and mounting and operating means therefor. The cleaning element though it maybe' of some other construction is preferably in the from of a close-wound coiled spring 5. This is of a length to extend from a predetermined operating point all the way through the conduit to the main waste pipe (not shown). On one end it is provided with a rigid metal sleeve 6 which functions as a shaft and attached to this is an appropriate handle 'i as indicated in the drawings. The sleeve is adapted to, rotate in a bushing 8, said bushing being threaded to accommodate a packing gland 9 to forestall leakage of waste material gases.

Manifestly, the invention is installed in different ways according to the particular construction of the pipe line or conduit. Referring t0 Figure l the conduit is referred to as a unit by the numeral I0 this being a conventional conduit such as is connected to a kitchen sink Il. The elbow trap is denoted by the numeral I2 and is connected to straight pipe sections I3 and I4 by way of appropriate couplings or unions I5 and I6. The elbow or trap is shown in Figure 2 provided with a lateral internally screw-threaded nipple I6 into which the bushing 8 is screwthreaded. This provides the desired leak-proof rotary mounting for the shaft 6 of the cleaning device 5. Naturally the cleaning device extends through the parts I2 to I 6 inclusive and onto the main discharge pipe (not shown). Being resilient or yieldable it conforms to these various features irrespective of the curves and connections. This is the feature of greatest importance.

The invention is adaptable to different types of waste pipes and lines and as shown in Figure 3 it is applicable to a soil pipe I1, this being provided with a fitting I8 to render it adaptable and the fitting having a nut I9 to accommodate the bushing 8.

In operation, all that is necessary is for the housewife or other attendant to catch hold of the handle 'I and turn it. This obviously turns the shaft 6 and the coiled spring cleaning device 5. The device 5 buckles and bends as is obvious while it is being turned. This continuity in the twisting and vibrating action provides a sort of boring effect similar to an auger. It thus submits itself in a self adapting manner to its task, being so activated by its inherent resilience irrespective of the irregularities in the pipe line or conduit. It literally jumps as it is turned and scrapes around the walls of the passage and dislodges the accumulation and extraneous matter. The matter being thus loosened can be readily ilushed out by the existing water flow.

I wish to emphasize the fact that the invention is permanently attached and is susceptible of being placed in an original installation of plumbing work, or it may be attached to existing structures. This renders it especially benecial for renovizing old lines not easily cleanable with dangerous chemical solvents and special tools. Of greatest importance however, is the fact that the invention may be operated by anyone in the house whenever necessary. It obviates the necessity of calling in a plumber and virtually insures a, free flow of iluid through the waste pipe at all times. Obviously, there are many other commercial benets and. characteristics but these need not be amplied here for the principle of the invention and operation is quite evident from the description and drawings.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field oi invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

1. In a structural assemblage of the class described, in combination, a waste pipe provided with bearing means, a shaft mounted for rotation in said bearing means and provided with a handle, and a flexible cleaning device connected with said shaft, said exible cleaning device being self adapting and of a springy nature to electively dislodge accumulation from the walls of the pipe.

2. In a structure of the class described, a screw threaded bushing constituting a bearing and provided with packing means, a rigid shaft mounted for rotation in said bushing, a handle connected to said shaft and a coil spring connected to said shaft, said coil spring being adapted for rotatable disposition in a Waste pipe.

JAMES FRANCIS WALSH. 

